Bitting Q&A

We thought you may like to hear about a recent bitting issue that Lucy Nicholas helped a customer of The Saddlery Shop with.

Question -

Dear Lucy Nicholas

"I am desperate to find an answer to my young horse’s bitting problems. He is a 15.2hh Warmblood x pony rising 5yrs.I have owned him since a foal and he is a big, confident character who does like to be in charge of situations. His main problem is taking any sort of pressure; he is happy to hack out, though does on occasion get his tongue over the bit, even on the quietest walk. His teeth have been checked regularly.”

This is a difficult problem and horses that put their tongue out cannot always be cured - even in a bitless bridle, the tension caused by just being ridden can be enough for it to manifest itself! 

There are two ways to go, in my mind as The Saddlery Shop’s resident bitting expert. You could try a high ported bit to physically help prevent him doing it, or try to find a solution (with a bit or a bitless bridle) that he feels happy and confident with. The problem is of course that he may not feel happy in anything, and if you try to prevent him doing it by using a high ported bit or something else with the same principles, it could cause more problems, as you have found. 

My ‘first port of call’ suggestion for this and other horses that put their tongue over the bit would be to try the Myler short shank combination bit (3304) which has a low ported, comfort snaffle mouthpiece - this is the most popular Myler combination bit that we retail at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk . 

The 3304 uses the comfort snaffle mouthpiece, which acts on the tongue and corners of the bars of the mouth, gently wrapping the lips, but the port gives more tongue relief when the bit is not engaged by the rider. The combination bits can be useful to school horses in when they are normally ridden in a double bridle, as it encourages self carriage and natural lightness.

Bit hire is of course a good way to try out new bits and The Saddlery Shop is happy to offer this service.

 

Dental checks by an equine dental technician or vet are recommended at least once a year. For articles and info on equestrian matters, please visit www.pegasus-magazine.co.uk . This is the website of the UK’s Pegasus Magazine - the major source of information for the large majority of equestrian enthusiasts across the South East of England and the Home Counties. Visit http://pegasus-magazine.co.uk/magazine to find out how to access the printed version, of which 25,000 copies per month are read. The site also features articles.